Chapter 6

Usagi Tsukino watched, terrified, as Diro Kotaishi stared down the Divine Knight of Darkness, Melchior.  She gripped Mamoru's arm and pulled herself closer to him.  "Mamo-chan," she whispered.  "Do something!"

            The taller man nodded and turned to the other knights that watched them.  "Just what do you think you're doing?!"  He demanded.

            "Do calm yourself, Lord Earth."  Balthazar answered.  "No harm will come to your friend, rather, we are here to help."

            "What are you talking about?"

            "The young Diro must prepare for an approaching tournament, correct?  We simply desire to be of some assistance in his training."

            "But why would you want to do that?"  Usagi asked, still clinging to Mamoru.

            Gaspar gave her a benign look.  "There are reasons, Lady Moon.  Be not concerned, all will be explained when your comrades arrive."

            "It had damn well better."  Rei snapped as she closed her communication device.  "Makoto and Ami are on their way."

            "Excellent."  Balthazar declared and noticed how the three girls and the tall man were glaring at him.  "I assure you, although this may seem unorthodox, we mean you no harm."

            The pig-tailed girl stopped looking at them and turned her attention to Diro.  She watched as he removed his black gi top and white t-shirt and was caught by surprise at all of the scars that covered his otherwise bare torso.  She remembered seeing him like this after the battle at the arcade, but things had been so hectic, she didn't notice his battle-worn body.

            The boy spoke loud enough for the onlookers to hear.  "Just who are you to challenge me?"

            The man in black answered, "My name is Sir Melchior, Divine Knight of Darkness and Shadow of the mighty kingdom of Alundar.  I was sent here to test your abilities and to train you in our arts."

           "You were sent for me?"  The boy asked, incredulously.  A cocky grin crossed his face as he took his stance.  "Fine, I'll play along.  Who sent you?"

            Melchior's expression remained unchanged as he answered, "I was sent by your father."

            Diro's eye twitched and he spat on the ground.  "Moron.  I'm an orphan.  I have no father."

            "Believe what you wish."

            "I will."  He concurred.  "Shall we begin?"

            "Hey, wait!"  Sakura yelled from a distance.  "Diro!  What about me?"

            "I'll play with you later."  The boy answered.  "Right now I wanna see what this guy's made of!"

            The hyper girl's cheeks puffed out in frustration.  "Jerk!"  She yelled after him as he charged his opponent.  She watched as he jumped over the taller man and grabbed his shoulders.  "Hey, I recognize this!"  She said as the boy flipped his opponent over his head and slammed his body into the ground.  "This is the same style that Guy uses!"

            Diro hung his hands loosely in front of him in the stance he had practiced his entire life.  "So what abilities did you want to teach me again?  Begging for mercy?"

            "You are very proud, young Diro."  Melchior observed as he stood and patted the dust off his clothes.  "Much like your father."

            "I told you I'm an orphan!"  The boy screamed and charged him again.  He extended his left leg in midair merely to pass through his opponent's intangible form.

            The knight waited until Diro finished tumbling before saying, "That is one of the abilities you must learn."

            "Whoa!"  Minako gaped.  "What just happened?"

            "This is one of our friend's favorite techniques."  Gaspar chuckled.  "As the ward of the Darkness, he has been endowed with the ability to manipulate shadows, even to the point of becoming one himself.  If he were to learn it, I believe it would fit incredibly well with Diro's fighting style.  Imagine a ninja who could physically become a shadow.  He would be impossible for any human to trace!"

            "Do you not believe that we should keep this information until the remaining senshi arrive, my friend?"  Balthazar prompted.

            The other knight's eyes popped open in surprise.  "Oh!  Indeed you are correct."  He turned to the girls and gave them a courtly bow.  "Do forgive me, ladies.  I have a tendency to ramble about these matters!"

            "I don't know what the hell you're talking about anyway!"  Rei mumbled and grunted impatiently.  "I wish Ami and Makoto would hurry up!"

            "I don't know how in the hell you did that," Diro grumbled as he stood.  "But I sure as hell don't like it!"

            "You will when you learn to employ it."  The knight said, matter-of-factly.  "Let us continue."

            "You cocky son of a…"  The boy muttered and brushed his bangs out of his face, tucking them behind his ear.  He dropped his hands to his side and casually walked up to his adversary until he was just a few inches in front of him.  He looked up at him and smirked.  "Bring it!"

            Without hesitation, Melchior balled his fist and struck the ninja across his face.  Diro grabbed his extended arm and pulled him closer, connecting with an uppercut in the process.  The boy followed up by side-stepping in front of his opponent and punching him in the stomach.  Lurching forward, Melchior brought his hands down in two strong knife-hand strikes between the boy's neck and shoulders.  Diro screamed through his pain and jumped up, slamming the top of his head into the knight's nose.

            "Cool!  Cool!  Cool!"  Sakura bounded up to the other girls.  "Did you see that?!  That had to be one of the coolest close-range sequences I've ever seen!  I'll bet that Diro's as fast as Guy himself!"

            "Who's Guy?"  Mamoru asked.

            "Who's Guy?"  She repeated, incredulously.  "Only the heir and greatest master of Bushin ninjitsu!  That's his style, isn't it?"

            "Well, yes."  Usagi responded, remembering her conversation with him the night before.  "But I don't remember his saying anything about this 'Guy.'"

            "No?"  The girl asked.  She returned her attention to the fight.  "I guess he hasn't fought him yet.  Now that's a match I'd like to see!"

            "Weirdo."  Rei commented to the side.  She turned her head when she heard rapid footsteps ascending the temple stairs.  Upon recognizing the two senshi, she called out, "Ami, Makoto!  Over here!"

            The two ran over to their friends and doubled over to catch their breath.  Makoto said, "We had to run here from the school.  What's this big emergency of yours?"

            Minako pointed to the side.  "Uh, over there."

            Makoto followed the blonde's finger to see Balthazar and Gaspar smiling and waving at her.  She screamed and hastily backed away.  "Y-y-y-you!  You guys were the ones who sent those monsters after us!  What are you doing here?!"

            While Gaspar stifled his laughter, Balthazar said, "We came to speak with you ladies and this gentleman.  Our orders are to deliver some significant information to you and assist the young Diro in his training."  He glanced at the ensuing battle between the boy and the remaining knight.

            Ami followed his eyes to see the ninja at the receiving end of several rapid punches.  "What are you doing?  Make him stop!"

            "Worry not, Lady Mercury.  Your friend is in no danger."

            "But he's being hurt!"

            "Only for now."  Gaspar replied.  "This boy is much more powerful than any of us can possibly imagine.  In fact, I'm starting to worry about Melchior."

            Rei turned her back to them and snorted.  "Fine, tell us what you know."

            Balthazar smiled at her and said, "Very well, Lady Mars.  Shall we go inside away from prying ears?"

            "Whatever."  She answered.  "Follow me."

            Sakura noticed them walking away and asked, "Hey, where are you going?"

            Usagi answered, "We're just going inside for a bit.  Why don't you stay here and cheer on Diro-kun?"

            "O-okay."  She hesitantly agreed and continued to watch the fight.

            "We're all here now so spill!  What is it you wanted to tell us?"  Rei demanded.

            Balthazar retained his complacent expression and said, "I sense you do not trust us, Lady Mars."

            She slammed her hands down on the small table in front of her.  "Of course I don't trust you!  Just a week ago you sent these things all over Tokyo and put God knows how many innocent people in danger!  Then you tell us that you were looking for Diro and now that 'Milker,' or whatever the hell his name is, is out there trying to drive our friend's face into the pavement!  You owe us an explanation!"

            "Rei-chan, please calm down!"  Ami pleaded.  "Balthazar-sama, will you please tell us what you know?"

            "Of course, Lady Mercury, but I do not blame Lady Mars for her outburst.  It is quite understandable due to our past sins.  I hope within time you will find it within your hearts to forgive us."

            "If you really are sorry, then of course we forgive you!"  Usagi cheerfully replied.

            "I thank you, Lady Moon.  You boast the same kindness as your mother of so long ago."

            "Yes," Gaspar agreed.  "I'm certain the late Queen Serenity would be proud."

            "Queen Serenity?"  Usagi asked in disbelief.  "How do you know about her?!"

            "Yeah!  Come to think of it, how did you know that we're the sailor senshi?"  Makoto inquired.

            "Well, the second question is easy."  Gaspar answered.  "For one thing, we Alundarians have the innate ability to sense different energy patterns.  We recognized yours from our meeting a week ago.  Also, it really isn't that difficult to tell if you look, I mean, you girls don't even wear masks!"

            "As for our knowledge of your past," Balthazar continued through the girls' awkward exchanges.  "We know for our paths are entwined.  According to ancient texts, the Moon Kingdom and our world of Alundar coexisted peacefully.  In fact, we depended heavily upon them.  As we were born primarily a warrior race, the ancient kingdom was plagued with many wars.  Over time, our natural resources were completely depleted and our people were near extinction.  The texts tell of the following era when the fight had been drained from our kind and the reigning king humbled himself before Queen Serenity.  He begged for her assistance to save his people and the gracious queen agreed.  She gave him a shard of the very crystal that supported her kingdom.  King Rhamael thereafter pledged his eternal allegiance to her and returned home with the shard."

            "Really?!"  Usagi pressed.  "When was that?"

            "This took place long before you were born as Princess Serenity."  The Knight answered.  "And long before the rape of your kingdom by that fiend Beryl."

            "You seem to know a lot of our pasts," Mamoru interjected.  "Exactly how accurate are your sources?"

            Gaspar said, "Ever since King Rhamael returned with the crystal shard a strong alliance was formed between Alundar and the Moon Kingdom.  Thereafter, the king urged massive reform upon his subjects and many became scholars recording all events in both kingdoms."

            "So they're very accurate, I take it."  He mused.

            "That is correct."  Balthazar affirmed.  "Which brings us to our next point, the lineage of our kings."

            "Lineage?"  Minako questioned.  "What does that have to do with anything?"

            "In truth," He continued.  "King Rhamael was so gracious toward the young Queen Serenity that he was often a guest in her palace and the two spent much time together.  The king had openly fallen in love with her."

            "You're kidding!"  Minako burst.  "That is so romantic!  Serenity's mamma had an admirer!"  She swooned and hugged Usagi around the neck.

            "Minako-chan…I can't…breathe!"  The pig-tailed girl choked out.

            Balthazar smiled at the two and continued.  "What is important is that the queen apparently returned his affections.  She bore him a son shortly after their alliance."

            "What?!"  Usagi screamed, breaking free of Minako's chokehold.  "You mean I, uh, Princess Serenity had a brother?!"

            "That is correct, Lady Moon.  Your half-brother was the heir to the Alundarian throne.  What's more, he was also the ancestor of the boy you know as Diro."

            The senshi screamed and gathered closer.  Rei yelled, "You must be mistaken!  There's no way that Diro can be related to the meatball-head, much less the descendent of one of your former kings!"

            "There is no mistaking it, I'm afraid."  Gaspar responded.  "Your Diro is none other than our long lost Prince Millian."

            "But…that just can't be."  She said.  Her voice was shaking and she seemed on the verge of tears.  "He can't be a prince.  I don't want him to be!"

            Minako looked at her sympathetically.  "Rei-chan?"

            As the girl stifled her sobs, the knights stood.  Gaspar said, "I realize how great a burden this is upon you, but our orders were not to be ignored."

            Balthazar added, "We have one request of you, please do not tell the prince of his heritage.  He already has much on his poor mind with his death feud.  It would undoubtedly trouble him further to know where he comes from.  Such distractions could prove fatal in battle.

            "There is still more that we wish to tell you, but this will do for now.  We will return tomorrow to continue the prince's training."

            "No!"  Rei screamed in protest.  "Don't come back!  Don't come near Diro!  Why can't you just let him live a normal life?  He just got here!  Don't take him away from me!"

            Balthazar drooped his head and frowned slightly.  "Please forgive us, my lady, but we must return.  Understand now that we have found our prince; we will do everything in our power to protect him.  We intend to awaken the powers of his lineage."  He audibly sighed when he looked into the girl's hurting eyes.  "To bring pain to a guardian of the Moon Kingdom is truly a grievous sin.  I beg of you, accept my repentance."

            The other senshi watched them leave and tended to their friend.  "Rei-chan, are you alright?"  Usagi asked.

            The girl sniffled and gave her an unconvincing chuckle.  "I'm fine, meatball-head.  I probably should have seen this coming.  Whenever one of us starts to fall for a guy we find out he's got special powers, or he's a bad guy or a prince or whatever.  It happens every time, it's so stupid!"

            Minako cleared her throat.  "Come on, Rei-chan, cheer up!  Does all of this really matter anyway?  Diro is Diro and nothing can change that!"

            Usagi tilted her head and looked at the blonde senshi.  "Minako-chan, what about you?"

            "What about me?"  She asked and turned back to Rei.  "Rei, you really like him, don't you?"

            The raven-haired girl flushed and nodded slightly.  "I'm not sure, but I think I do."

            "Then it shouldn't matter if he's a ninja, and prince of some other dimension and that he's related to Princess Serenity, right?"

            She giggled.  "Yeah, it is a bit much, but I guess I still really like him."

            The temple door slid open and the staggering Diro entered, followed by Sakura.  "Don't forget, Diro, you promised to fight me!  I'll come back tomorrow and make sure you deliver!"

            The boy lifted a tired arm to wave off her challenge.  "Yeah, tomorrow, sure."  He yawned.  "I'm gonna take a bath and then I gotta crash."

            As he disappeared down the hallway Minako whispered to Rei, "Now when he's done, you're gonna confess your feelings for him, right?"

            The raven-haired girl's face turned bright red.  She tried to respond, but simply nodded in agreement.

            "Good!"  She cheered and turned to the others.  "C'mon guys, lets leave Rei alone for the rest of the night."

            "Mina-chan, wait!"  Usagi called out to her as she left.  When they were outside where Rei couldn't hear, she asked, "So, are you giving up on Diro?"

            The blonde smiled and looked down.  "Rei seemed pretty upset about what those guys told us.  I thought maybe I should give her a chance to figure out her feelings."

            "That's pretty mature, Mina-chan."  Makoto added.  "It's not like you at all!"

            "That's mean!  I am a love goddess after all!"  She smiled and took two tickets out of her pocket.  "It's a shame that these are going to go to waste, though."

            "What is it?"  Usagi asked, looking over the girl's shoulder.

            She sighed.  "I was going to have you lure Rei away while I convinced Diro to see this movie with me."  She handed the tickets to her friend.

            "That was your big plan?"  The pigtailed girl looked at them and her face contorted in shock and embarrassment.  Minako!  This is an adult film!"

            "Yeah," The girl replied, wistfully.  "I was kinda hoping that'd get Diro-kun in the mood, but I guess you and Mamoru can use them!"  She winked and placed her forefinger on the girl's nose.  "Just be sure to let me in on all the juicy details!"

            Usagi looked at her bright red boyfriend as she realized exactly what the bubbly blonde meant.  She turned and screamed, "Minako!"

            Rei Hino hugged her legs closer with every passing minute.  Her face had been red the entire time Diro was held up in the bath.  She sat on the edge of his bed and her heart raced as she waited for him.

            Taking a look around, she was reminded of how shortly she had known him.  So recent was his arrival that there were still some boxes stacked in a corner and even more continued to be delivered.  He had a few weapons and training equipment leaning against a wall, some anime posters adorned the room, and a picture stood on a small nightstand nearby.

            Instinctively, the girl picked it up and looked at it.  A younger boy, of about twelve or thirteen years held up a black belt in triumph.  His face was bruised and swollen, but his open-mouth smile seemed to envelop half his head.  Behind him, two elderly Japanese people stood smiling serenely.  One, the old man, was bruised a little less than the boy but was brimming with pride as he looked down upon him.  The other, an old woman, wore a traditional kimono and held a parasol as she patted his head.

            "That's me when I made first dan of Bushin Ninjitsu."

            Rei gasped and looked to see Diro wearing nothing but a pair of denim shorts, drying the water from his ears.  She flushed and looked down.  "I-I'm sorry.  I didn't mean to intrude."

            "Don't be silly."  He chastened and sat down next to her.  "This is your house.  I'm just a guest."

            "Are you so casual that you don't even care for your own privacy?"  She teased.

            "You should know by now."  He stated and lied back.  "So what's up?"

            The girl resisted the urge to touch his bare abdominal muscles and turned her face away from the temptation.  "I was just wondering if you were alright, is all."

            "To be honest, I'm stiff, sore, and tired."

            "Well, you had a full day."  She commented.  The girl searched her mind for something to say to break the silence between them.  "So, uh, how old were you in that picture?"

            "Couldn't tell you."  He answered almost immediately.  "I'm not sure exactly how old I was back then."  He sat back up and stared in front of him for a moment.  "Come to think of it, I wonder how old I am right now."

            Rei voiced her surprise and leaned forward to look him in the eye.  "You mean you don't know how old you are?!"

            He shook his head.  "Never knew my parents, so I don't know when I was born.  All I know is that my grandparents found me on their doorstep when I was an infant.  Quaint, huh?"

            "Oh Diro, that's horrible!"  She squealed, thinking to herself that perhaps the knights were telling the truth.

            "It's not so bad."  He replied, yawning and lied back down.  "My grandparents took me in and taught me all about the martial arts.  Not many people can say that."

            "Still it sounds sad."  She said, still looking forward.  "I lost my mother and I rarely see my father, but I least I knew them."  She looked back down at Diro and noticed that his eyes were closed and his breathing changed.  She crept closer and leant over him, staring right into his face.  "Diro-kun?  Are you asleep?"

            The girl inspected his expressionless face and smiled.  She thought he looked cute and defenseless in his sleep.  Her eyes fell to his lips and she blushed at the thought that ran through her mind.

            Closing her eyes, she slowly lowered her face to his.  As she puckered her lips, the sleeping boy shifted his weight and turned over.  She gasped as his arm independently reached around her waist and pulled her body down next to his.  Rei stared wide-eyed into his face and tried to move.  Somehow, her legs had become entwined with his and their bodies seemed to meld together.

            The girl calmed herself and accepted her situation.  She nuzzled closer to him and rested her head on his arm.  She smiled as she drifted away to sleep.  She whispered, "I love you, Diro."

Author's Notes

I don't really have much to say this time except that I'm almost done with chapter 11.  Yay!  It's really just about halfway through, but I know pretty much exactly what I'm gonna do with it.  So, I dunno, I was thinkin' about maybe not uploading that chapter for a while so that I can make some headway on 12.  What do you guys think?  Y'know since 11 ends in such a cool cliffhanger.  But let me know and I'll do whatever.

Oh, yeah!  I just remembered!  The first season of "Alf" comes out on DVD next week!  I loved that show as a kid.  Make sure you buy it!

The Rockstar Prince of Crossovers